Communicable Disease Investigator

Merced County, CA; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced County is seeking a Community Health Specialist to investigate communicable diseases and trace contacts. The role includes interviewing, counseling, initiating treatment procedures, and ensuring follow-up for incomplete treatments.

Responsibilities extend to field investigations, planning educational activities, HIV counseling, and coordinating referrals. Some positions may require translation for non-English clients and potential lab sample handling.

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a two-year college with coursework in psychology or communications, physiology, anatomy and biology.
• Knowledge of basic epidemiology and communicable diseases.
• Ability to counsel, interview and collect data from clients.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reported cases of communicable disease and traces contacts.
• Records interview content and initiates treatment procedures.
• Locates patients with incomplete treatment and secures follow-up.
• Conducts field investigations, counsels patients and provides referrals.
• Plans educational activities and training programs.
• Provides pre- and post-HIV counseling including phlebotomy.
• May assist in clinics, collect and transport lab samples.
• May translate for non-English clients.
• May provide Targeted Case Management and outreach to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.
• Operate a computer and communicate effectively by phone or in person.

Skills

Epidemiology knowledge

Community health techniques

Anatomy & physiology

Counseling techniques

Data collection

Education

Two-year college degree coursework in Psychology or Communications; Physiology; Anatomy; Biology

Job description

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Investigates reported cases of communicable disease including Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) patients to determine location of known contacts and trace persons who may be sources of acute communicable diseases.
• Records content of interviews, explains procedures and treatments, Initiates treatment procedures.
• Locates persons whose treatment is incomplete to secure their further examination or treatment.
• Conducts field investigations, counsels patients and provides referral assistance as needed.
• Plans and participates in educational activities and training programs for individuals and groups.
• Provides pre and post HIV counseling which includes phlebotomy.
• May be assigned to assist in various clinics, to collect and transport laboratory samples.
• May be required to translate for Non-English speaking clients.
• May provide Targeted Case Management services and engage in outreach and other activities to enhance services to Medi-Cal beneficiaries.

Experience:

One (1) year performing duties equivalent to those of a Community Health Specialist in Merced County.

Education:

Equivalent to graduation from a two (2) year college with coursework in each of the following areas: Psychology or Communications; Physiology, including the concepts and treatments of communicable diseases; Anatomy; and, Biology.

License:

Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Some positions require the possession of the CPR Certification and bilingual capabilities.

Desirable:

Certificate in Phlebotomy and/or Medical Technology is desirable.

SOME POSITIONS IN THIS CLASSIFICATION WILL BE SUBJECT TO CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS PURSUANT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES RULES AND REGULATIONS, SECTION 2, B

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Analyze data, interpret policies, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate conclusions.
• Meet deadlines under stressful conditions; resolve conflicts and respond appropriately to complaints.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Conduct field activities on uneven surfaces under various environmental conditions.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Sit for extended periods of time.
• Frequent public contact, concentration in noisy conditions, exposure to emergency situations.
• Occasional exposure to hazardous materials, cold and heat.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles of epidemiology or communicable diseases.
• Community health techniques and procedures.
• Basic human anatomy and physiology.
• First aid procedures.
• Basic laboratory techniques.
• Counseling and investigative techniques.
• Basic education techniques and data collection.

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective professional relationships.
• Understand and follow instructions and procedures.
• Obtain facts from client in sensitive situations.
• Recognize pertinent information.
• Organize and maintain a caseload.
• Communicate effectively in order to make presentations.
• Communicate effectively in writing.
• Conduct investigations and to enforce/obtain compliance with legal standards.
• Analyze situations and information accurately and adopt an effective course of action.